On 3/2/07, Joseph C. Bender <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Jacob Yocom-Piatt wrote: > > Nick Holland wrote: > >> exactly. > >> This idea of using VMware (or similar) to host a firewall that > >> protects the host operating system is something I find somewhere > >> between amusing (because its silly) and scary (because it indicates > >> people don't really understand, and think that a "firewall" works > >> magic, and these people might be protecting our personal data). > >> > >> > > > > this goes without saying since any solution involving windows is, IMO, > > turd polishing. however, i am forced to use the turd (, luke?) and would > > rather have it wrapped in tinfoil than paper, not unlike a burrito. > > > While I normally agree with Nick, it all depends on > implementation. *grin* > > If you can't or don't want to change the original hardware, just > turn > the XP firewall on. It'll give you about as much protection. > > There is an option that not many people are aware of, however. If > you > have a USB/Ethernet adapter, you can have it attach as a native *USB* > device to the VM. I don't recall what the checkbox is under Player (I > use Server these days for just about everything, and it's a lot more > versatile), but it'll "pull" the device from windows and remap the USB > I/O through to the VM. I've used it with USB wireless and wired > adapters with some success, even including my EVDO data card, which > enumerates as a USB device/modem to the host system (really wierd > CardBus implementation). > > Anyway, the big caveat that I've found is not all USB network > devices > like having this process happen to them. The other caveat is that your > performance won't be as good as it would be, as there's a few layers of > I/O redirection that have to take place. Bottom line is, there's a > method for doing it, it just might not work as well as you want it to. > Figured it was worth a mention anyway.
Yes, this "sort of works", USB support is so-so un the Server and Workstation product. I would say that it is more "experimental" then supported, but I believe it is officially supported. THere is one important problem however, if the Guest OS looses "focus" , i.e. you suspend it or even run another guest OS that does some USB operation, then the Host OS will "grab" the usb controller and your guest most likly won't getr it back (it doesn't know that it was taken away;) -- > Joseph Bender > Bendorius Consulting > jcbender at bendorius com
